We are doing a Thanksgiving cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on the Nieuw Amsterdam.
We booked through a big box store, and even though HAL reduced its rate many times before sailing date, but after final payment, it was difficult to get any compensation. Thus, we paid much more for an inferior cabin which others got for a song.
The ship itself is certainly not up to HAL standards. Our deck has filthy deck glass and evidence of rust on the exterior of the ship. Our cabin in particular seems especially small and the storage far from ample. You have to put one of your key cards in a slot just inside the door to turn on the lights and leave it there....dumb. The pillows have seen much better days and would be thrown out on some other ships and for sure, in my house.
Our cabin is 8090. It is the noisiest cabin I have ever been in. Not only are people rude going up and down the aisles being extremely loud with total disregard for other guests, but the constant noise from the Lido deck above keeps us from sleeping after 10 pm. Rolling carts across the floor above all night and slamming of heavy objects is sometimes deafening.
This was a nice little port with cute shops until the Carnival Cruise arrived and 4000 cruisers descended on it.